‘We’ve Had an Amazing Turnout’: Carriage Barn Hosts 2nd Annual Waveny Arts Festival [PHOTOS]

2nd Annual Waveny Park Arts Festival

Blessings Misomali stood between two rows of tents near the forecourt of Waveny House on a sun-dappled, comfortably warm Sunday afternoon. 

The tents featured the work of dozens of fine artists and artisans—painters, photographers, ceramicists, glass art, fiber artists, jewelry designers and sculptors.

“I’m just impressed with people’s creativity,” Misomali said during the 2nd Annual Waveny Park Arts Festival, organized by the Carriage Barn Arts Center. “It’s just incredible. There’s a lot—you’ve got clothes, you’ve got art, jewelry. It’s stunning.”

Hundreds of people perused and purchased artwork and handcrafts, sat on a hill enjoying live music and participated in family-friendly activities during the festival, which ran for five hours on a picture-perfect autumn day in Waveny.

“It’s going great,” Carriage Barn Executive Director Hilary Wittmann told NewCanaanite.com as grownups pushed baby carriages and walked dogs through the festival grounds, which spread from the Powerhouse Theatre and Carriage Barn itself toward the main house, dotted with food trucks and providers of sweet treats like ice cream and donuts. “It’s a beautiful day. We’ve had an amazing turnout and 45 artists and artisans with such a great variety of their work.”

One of those artists, Mallory Wiedemann, an acrylics painter who also works in mixed media and collage, sold two pieces on the day and “had lots of good conversations about commissions, about doing custom stuff,” she said.

“I love to paint,” Wiedemann said from inside her tent as passersby admired her paintings and ‘Flowers for Andy’ mixed media work set up in front. “This is a new series that I’m developing. This is called ‘The Formation’ series. But I also love to collage. I love to build things. It’s everything. I like to do it all. I like to move on to the next thing and cycle around so I don’t get bored or tired of it or burnt out.”

Among the festival attendees were several friends who stopped by Wiedemann’s tent throughout the festival, she said. 

“It’s always nice to have friends support you,” she said. “It’s been lovely. It’s a beautiful day—that helps.”

Misomali, who also serves on the board of New Canaan-based nonprofit Stand Together Against Racism or “S.T.A.R.” said the organization was promoting two upcoming arts events at its own tent during the festival: the “Through Your Looking Glass” student art showcase (taking submissions through Nov. 9, opening reception Nov. 16 at the Carriage Barn) and two screenings Oct. 29 at The Playhouse of “Rising Hope,” an award-winning documentary from New Canaan High School graduate Theo Avgerinos. 

Presented in partnership with The Glass House, the student art showcase “celebrates how art, design, and architecture can promote social justice, inclusion, equity, and diversity,” organizers said.

Misomali said the question put to participating students is: “What does social justice mean to you? We’re not really giving them any ideas, and we’re encouraging parents not to give their kids any ideas. We really just want it from them.”